INDORE: 7th April 2025
To maximize the use of cutting-edge test tracks and support the automotive sector, India’s premier vehicle testing agency, the Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), has announced the opening of an office and vehicle testing facility in Indore for the National Automotive Test Tracks’ Vehicle Evaluation Laboratory (VEL).
Given Pithampur’s significance to the Indian automotive industry, ARAI’s new Indore office is expected to boost collaboration with industry partners while also streamlining certification and validation processes for local manufacturers.
During the launch, Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI, and Shri Abdul Jabbar Akbar Badusha, Senior Deputy Director and Head of VEL, highlighted the growing demand for technical assistance as India’s automotive sector evolves with new technologies.
They stated that this initiative represents a significant expansion of ARAI’s national presence. ARAI, headquartered in Pune, is a well-known R&D and certification organization that assists the Indian automotive industry with testing, emissions research, and safety standards.
The National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX), established as part of the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP), is a leading automotive testing and certification facility near Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, about 50 kilometers from Indore.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries oversees this sprawling facility, which covers 3,000 acres and includes 14 advanced test tracks, including an 11.3-kilometer high-speed track, one of Asia’s longest, capable of accommodating vehicle tests at speeds of up to 375 kilometers per hour.
The center provides a wide range of services to domestic and international automotive manufacturers, including vehicle dynamics assessments, powertrain evaluations, and battery testing. This facility is designed to assist vehicle manufacturers, vehicle system producers, and tire manufacturers throughout the country by facilitating comprehensive testing and evaluation procedures.
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